Commander Country

Where Are Commanders in Playoff Picture After Cowboys Loss?

The Washington Commanders are hanging on by a thread in the NFC playoff picture.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 24, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Hunter Luepke (40) runs the ball against Washington Commanders safety Percy Butler (35) during the fourth quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Nov 24, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Hunter Luepke (40) runs the ball against Washington Commanders safety Percy Butler (35) during the fourth quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images / Peter Casey-Imagn Images
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The Washington Commanders are slipping in the standings after a 34-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12 at Northwest Stadium.

The loss, coupled with the Philadelphia Eagles' win against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football, extended the gap between first and second place in the NFC East.

The Eagles are now 9-2, good enough for a 2.5 game lead over the Commanders in the division standings. The two teams will meet once again in Week 16, but the Eagles will control their own destiny even if they lose to the Commanders in Washington.

That means the Commanders are likely going to need a Wild Card berth in order to qualify for the playoffs, and two spots are likely already going to the NFC North, which houses the 10-1 Detroit Lions, 9-2 Minnesota Vikings and 8-3 Green Bay Packers.

The Commanders are a full 1.5 games back of the Packers, which likely means the only spot the team can get is the No. 7 seed, which the team currently holds.

The Commanders are a game ahead of the Arizona Cardinals for the final playoff spot in the NFC. On top of that, the Commanders have the tiebreaker after beating them in Week 4 in Glendale. So, the Commanders have a cushion when it comes to the playoff picture.

However, the Commanders cannot afford to lose many more games because the gap is closing. And if the losing streak continues, they may eventually find themselves on the outside looking in.

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

More Washington Commanders News

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• Did Commanders Play Things Too Safe vs. Cowboys?

• Commanders' Late TD Not the Only Important Play - But It Maybe the Most

• Terry McLaurin’s 86-Yard Touchdown Stuns, But Commanders Miss Extra Point

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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